A Little While | AdventAI

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 5, 1866

"A Little While."

Oh, for the peace which floweth as a river! Making life's desert places bloom and smile; Oh, for a faith to grasp Heaven's bright "forever," Amid the shadows of earth's "little while."

"A little while" for patient vigil-keeping, To face the storm, to wrestle with the strong; "A little while" to sow the seeds with weeping, Then bind the sheaves and sing the harvest song.

"A little while," to wear the robe of sadness, To toil with weary steps through erring ways; Then to pour forth the fragrant oil of gladness, And clasp the girdle of the robe of praise.

"A little while" 'mid shadow and illusion, To strive by faith love's mysteries to spell; Then read each dark enigma's clear solution, Then hail light's verdict, "He doth all things well."

"A little while" the earthen pitcher taking To wayside brooks from far-off fountains fed; Then the parched lip its thirst forever slaking, Beside the fullness of the Fountain Head.

"A little while" to keep the oil from failing; "A little while" faith's flickering lamp to trim, And then, the Bridegroom's coming footsteps hailing, To haste to meet him with the bridal hymn.

And He who is at once both Gift and Giver, The future glory and the present smile, With the bright promise of the glad "forever," Will light the shadows of the "little while."